How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Montana
Montana employs approximately 480 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $41,170 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a veterinary technician in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Montana
How do I become a veterinary technician in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Veterinary - Veterinarian Technician, Veterinary - Certified Euthanasia Agency, Veterinary - Certified Euthanasia Tech. The licensing authority is the Board of Veterinary Medicine 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do veterinary technicians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Montana is $41,170 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,420 and experienced professionals can earn $57,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Median wage (Montana): $41,170 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Montana
The Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees veterinary technician licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Veterinary - Veterinarian Technician | Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals.? |
| Veterinary - Certified Euthanasia Agency | Euthanasia agencies provide the most humane way of disposing of sick unwanted stray, abandoned, discarded or dangerous animals. |
| Veterinary - Certified Euthanasia Tech | Euthanasia Technicians provide the most humane way of disposing of sick unwanted stray, abandoned, discarded or dangerous animals. |
| Veterinary - Veterinarian | Veterinarians treat sick and injured animals. |
| Veterinary - Embryo Transfer Tech | Embryo Transfer Technicians perform non-surgical embryo transfers under the supervision of a veterinarian. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 110 | $37,640 | $43,070 | $36,190 | $55,400 |
| Bozeman | 90 | $47,500 | $50,320 | $39,570 | $81,190 |
| Missoula | 40 | $43,510 | $46,180 | $37,080 | $58,070 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | 110 | $37,640 |
| Bozeman | 90 | $47,500 |
| Missoula | 40 | $43,510 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 480 veterinary technicians 1. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a veterinary technician in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Veterinary Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do veterinary technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Montana is $41,170, which is $4,810 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Veterinary Medicine - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/vet ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |